The focus of this paper is to identify potential benefits of community involvement in master planning in the post-earthquake recovery context in Christchurch; and to identify considerations for planners involved in the design of master planning processes that involve the community. Findings are based on the results of an information sharing event on these topics convened by The Habitat Project in December 2011, and a review of the relevant literature.
Website of the St Albans Residents Association Incorporated (SARA), dedicated to the recovery of St Albans and its city, Christchurch after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.
Canadian expert on the development of healthy communities in British Columbia is in New Zealand to explore possibilities for contributing to the rebuilding of a resilient Christchurch following the earthquake and aftershocks.
An entry from Gallivanta's blog for 31 October 2012 entitled, "Packe Street Community Garden".
Summary of oral history interview with Mary Hobbs about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 6 February 2012, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 13 October 2012 entitled, "Surplus 'Cylopaedias".
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 29 October 2012, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
A photograph of the Fitzgerald Avenue Community Garden.
A photograph of the Fitzgerald Avenue Community Garden.
The National Recovery Coordinator for Red Cross Emergency Services in Australia, who has researched disaster recovery practices around the world including the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, London bombings and Sichuan earthquake. She is visiting New Zealand ahead of the first anniversary of the February earthquake in Christchurch.
There is strong consensus in the civil defence and emergency management literature that public participation is essential for a 'good' recovery. However, there is a paucity of research detailing how this community-led planning should be carried out in the real world. There are few processes or timelines for communities to follow when wanting to plan for themselves, nor is there a great deal of advice for communities who want to plan for their own recovery. In short, despite this consensus that community involvement is desireable, there is very little information available as to the nature of this involvement or how communities might facilitate this. It is simply assumed that communities are willing and able to participate in the recovery process and that recovery authorities will welcome, encourage, and enable this participation. This is not always the case, and the result is that community groups can be left feeling lost and ineffective when trying to plan for their own recovery. In attempting to address this gap, my study contributes to a better understanding of community involvement in recovery planning, based on research with on particular a community group (SPRIG), who has undertaken their own form of community-led planning in a post-disaster environment. Through group observations and in-depth interviews with members of SPRIG, I was able to identify various roles for such groups in the post-disaster recovery process. My research also contributes to an enhanced understanding of the process a community group might follow to implement their own form of post-disaster recovery planning, with the main point being that any planning should be done side by side with local authorities. Finally, I discovered that a community group will face organisational, community and institutional challenges when trying to plan for their area; however, despite these challenges, opportunities exist, such as the chance to build a better future.
A photograph of volunteers at the Fitzgerald Avenue Community Garden.
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 23 January 2012, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 27 August 2012, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
A photograph of volunteers working at the Fitzgerald Avenue Community Garden.
A photograph of the empty site which is to become the Fitzgerald Avenue Community Garden.
A photograph of high school students working at the Fitzgerald Avenue Community Garden.
Shoppers at the community market at the New Brighton Pedestrian Mall.
Shoppers at the community market at the New Brighton Pedestrian Mall.
Shoppers at the community market at the New Brighton Pedestrian Mall.
An entry from Gallivanta's blog for 22 December 2012 entitled, "Meri Kirihimete".
An entry from Gallivanta's blog for 2 December 2012 entitled, "Unbounded Faith".
An entry from Gallivanta's blog for 6 December 2012 entitled, "On a Mission".
A close up of damaged stonework of Christ Church Cathedral.
The front of Christ Church Cathedral. The upper part of the front wall has crumbled leaving the inside space exposed. Steel bracing has been placed against the front wall to limit further damage.
A close up of a broken stained-glass window of Christ Church Cathedral.
A crane stands next to the Millennium Hotel and the BNZ building.
A red double-decker tour bus sits outside the former Registry building of the Christchurch Arts Centre. A broken window has been boarded up and security fencing has been placed around the building. A sign pointing towards the Christchurch Art Gallery is attached to the fence.
Two pigeons sit on top of the damaged stonework of Christ Church Cathedral.